Health Literacy Levels of Women and Related Factors in Turkey

Compliance level and associated factors of iron folic acid supplementation among pregnant women in North Shoa Zone, Ethiopia

Iron deficiency is a widespread micronutrient deficiency, impacting over 30% of the global population. Iron Folic Acid supplement is recommended for pregnant women to counter iron deficiency anemia and neural tube anomalies. Although Iron Folic Acid supplementation is integral to Ethiopian antenatal care, one in four women in Ethiopia experiences anemia during pregnancy suggesting poor compliance. This study aimed to investigate compliance level and associated factors of Iron Folic Acid supplementation among pregnant women attending antenatal care in Wuchale Woreda of North Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 302 pregnant women from March 20 to April 5, 2021, who were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face interview, entered epi-data, and exported to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for analysis. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with compliance level. All the results were presented with 95% confidence intervals. The compliance with Iron Folic Acid supplementation was 47.0%. Residing nearest to the health facility (AOR = 2.46; 95% CI 1.32, 4.57), initiating antenatal care at health center (AOR = 2.23; 95% CI 1.17, 4.51), having a family size of 4 and above (AOR = 4.99; 95% CI 2.43, 10.24), and receiving information from health extension workers (AOR = 5.52; 95% CI 1.30, 23.54) increased compliance with Iron Folic Acid supplementation. Less than half of the pregnant women were compliant with Iron Folic Acid utilization. There is a need to prioritize promoting the importance of Iron Folic Acid supplementation through health education particularly by targeting pregnant women with identified factors.

The relationship between health literacy and health-related quality of life in Chinese older adults: a cross-sectional study

Background

This study aimed to examine the relationship between health literacy and health-related quality of life in older adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey design was used. We used a self-administered questionnaire to assess sociodemographic factors of older adults, the Chinese Citizen Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQC) and the 36-item Chinese version of the Short Form 36 (SF-36) to measure health literacy and quality of life, respectively, among older adults. Between September 2011 and June 2012, information was collected from 1,396 older adults in 44 nursing homes in four cities through face-to-face interviews.

Results

The mean health literacy level of older adults in nursing homes was relatively low (71.74 ± 28.35). Health-related quality of life scores were moderate (104.77 ± 16.92). There were statistically significant differences in the effects of health literacy, education level, former occupation (professional), marital status (widowed) and race on health-related quality of life.

Conclusion

Improving health literacy is considered an important intervention to promote health-related quality of life in older adults in nursing homes.

Health Literacy, Self-Efficacy and Glycemic Control in Patients With Diabetes Type 2 in a Greek Population

Aim  To investigate the relationship between health literacy (HL), self-efficacy (SE), and achievement of treatment goals in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Method The cross-sectional study was conducted with a random sample of patients with T2DM attending the diabetology clinic and the Home Care department of the General Hospital of Drama, Greece. They completed two questionnaires: the short form of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16) to measure HL and the Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMSES) for people with T2DM to measure SE. Medical history, demographic characteristics, and values related to glycemic control were also recorded. Linear regression analysis was used to search for the dependence of glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) values with HL and SE and the dependence between them. Result About 120 patients with T2DM (response rate of 92.3%) were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the participants was 62.5 years [standard deviation (SD) = 10.6 years] and most of them were female (53.3%). A1C was found to be significantly negatively associated with diet, physical activity, and SE score. Also, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between HL and SE. HL was correlated with age, gender, education level, and A1C, with women and older people having lower HL, while conversely higher education level was significantly associated with higher HL. Higher A1C was significantly associated with lower HL. Also, SE partially mediates the relationship between HL and A1C, in a significant way. Conclusion The results of the study confirm the important role of HL and SE in the successful management of T2DM. Multi-level educational interventions for diabetic patients could improve HL and SE and promote diabetes self-management.

Current status and influencing factors of health literacy among older adults in combined medical and nursing care institutions: a cross-sectional study

Introduction

Health literacy is linked to the health status of older adults and is a critical component in achieving active aging. This study to characterize the current health literacy status among older adults in combined medical and nursing care institutions, as well as the factors that influenced this status.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used a convenience sampling method to select 740 older adults who were in 16 combined medical and nursing care institutions in Chengdu, China, from July 2022 to June 2023, using the Health Literacy Management Scale, the Social Support Rating Scale, and the Short Form-36 Health Survey.

Results

The results showed a health literacy score of 75.25 ± 12.33, the percentage of older adults with basic health literacy was 6.33%, a social support score of 37.37 ± 6.10, and a health-related quality of life score of 55.34 ± 15.48. Factors influencing health literacy included age, educational level, previous occupation, family size, monthly per capita household income, and health-related quality of life.

Discussion

Health literacy is an essential factor in improving the health status of older adults. Relevant departments should therefore improve health education and health promotion interventions for older adults in combined medical and nursing care institutions to improve health literacy.

Examining corporate support issues with health literacy as a key factor: The Case of a Hiroshima corporation

Context

Given the dramatic decline in Japan's labor force, promoting women's participation in the workforce is essential.

Aims

We aimed to take a Hiroshima company as an example and analyze the influencing factors of health literacy (HL) to clarify the issues of the active participation of female employees.

Methods and Materials

From February to March 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted by a company in Hiroshima prefecture that contained many male employees. A total of 1,114 valid respondents were received. Employees' demographics, menstrual-related concerns, women's activity promotion support, and HL were investigated in this study.

Statistical Analysis Used

The Chi-square test and logistic regression using SPSS statistical software version 25 were used.

Results

There were significant differences between high and low HL with age, women's menstrual problems, and women's activity promotion support. The participants who were unaware of women's menstrual-related problems and their company's implementation of women's activity promotion support were more likely to have high HL. In addition, female employees (including female management) and male management have significantly different cognitions about women's activity promotion support.

Conclusions

This study found that overall HL among employees in male-dominated companies is low, even among participants who were aware of women's menstruation-related health issues and the company's women's activity promotion support. Increased women's representation in management can bridge policy perception gaps. Male-dominated companies should enhance HL via career programs, health education, and improved communication for active female engagement.

The relationship between parental health literacy levels and anthropometric measurements of children in Turkey

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the relationship between parental health literacy levels and anthropometric measurements of children in Turkey.

METHODS

The research was of cross-sectional/correlational design and carried out with 378 consenting parents registered at a Family Health Center. A Sociodemographic Data Form and the Health Literacy Scale for Turkey-32 was used to collect the study data. Data collection was completed at face-to-face interviews held in the consultation department of the family health center. The data were analyzed with the chi-square test and Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis.

RESULTS

It was determined that parental health literacy levels were associated with level of education, income status and the state of the parents' employment (p < .05). A relationship was also found between adequate levels of parental health literacy and the health status, weight and height standard deviation scores by age of the parents' children (p < .05).

CONCLUSION

This study found that adequate levels of parental health literacy were significantly lower than the European average. The study found that adequate parental health literacy had a positive effect on children's anthropometric measurements. Health institutions and health professionals should plan training programs to improve the health literacy of parents when they apply to health institutions.

Coronavirus-related health literacy levels among school administrators and influencing factors

Our study aimed to determine the level of coronavirus-related health literacy among school administrators and the factors that influence this. The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 402 school administrators serving in primary, secondary and high schools in Ankara. The data were collected between September 2021 and February 2022 using the descriptive characteristics questionnaire and the Coronavirus-Related Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLS-COVID-Q22). It was seen that 64.4% of the participants were male, 34.6% were 40 years old or younger and 35.6% were working in primary schools; 77.6% of the participants had a sufficient, 16.2% had a problematic and 6.2% had an inadequate level of coronavirus-related health literacy. Age, gender, chronic disease status, type of school they work in, level of knowledge about coronavirus, level of confusion due to knowledge about coronavirus, willingness to be vaccinated, believing that vaccines are safe/effective/compatible with their religious beliefs were found to affect coronavirus-related health literacy (p < 0.05). Gender, age, information satisfaction on coronavirus, confusion due to information on coronavirus and 'Overall, I believe that vaccinations are effective' explained 24.9% of HLS-COVID-Q22 variance (Adjusted R2 = 0.249, F = 13.080, p < 0.001). This study found the coronavirus-related health literacy level among school administrators to be sufficient. It found that their level of health literacy was affected by gender, age, chronic disease status, type of school they worked at, level of knowledge about coronavirus, level of confusion due to information about coronavirus, desire to be vaccinated and their thoughts about vaccines.

Does Health Literacy Affect Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates?

This study aims to determine the relationship between adult colorectal cancer screening behaviors and health literacy levels. This cross-sectional study aims to determine the relationship between adult colorectal cancer screening behaviors and health literacy levels. Of the participants, only a small proportion had undergone this screening (9.3%). Having an intestinal disease (OR = 23) and having a relative with colorectal cancer (OR = 8) had the highest effect on colorectal screening. There were significant differences between the colorectal screening groups concerning most THLS-32 subgroup scores, including the THLS-32 total score. Health literacy affects colorectal cancer screening rates. Primary care workers, especially community health nurses, are in an ideal position to increase health literacy and thereby increase cancer screening rates.

Health Literacy and COVID-19 Awareness Among Preservice Primary School Teachers and Influencing Factors in Turkey

BACKGROUND

Primary school teachers play an important role in furnishing children with basic knowledge about health literacy and awareness of COVID-19. This study was conducted to determine the levels of health literacy and COVID-19 awareness among preservice primary school teachers and the factors associated with this.

METHODS

The sample of this cross-sectional and correlational study consists of 978 preservice primary school teachers studying at 4 major universities in Turkey. The participation rate was 90.14%. Data were collected with 3 questionnaires, the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Health Literacy Scale, and the COVID-19 Awareness Scale.

RESULTS

The mean score of the Health Literacy scale was 105.16 (SD = 13.04). The mean scores of the Contagion Precaution Awareness, Awareness of Following Current Developments, and Hygiene Precaution Awareness subscales of the Coronavirus Awareness Scale were 34.27 (SD = 6.19), 12.94 (SD = 4.34), and 11.69 (SD = 3.60), respectively. It was determined that the total health literacy score was affected by gender, school, and grade/year (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior) and that COVID-19 awareness was affected by gender, age, grade/year, school, having contracted COVID-19 or not, and being vaccinated or not in the various subscales (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Preservice primary school teachers' health literacy was found to be sufficient with a moderate level of COVID-19 awareness. We recommend planning interventions for preservice primary school teachers that will improve their health literacy and COVID-19 awareness, taking influential factors into account when doing this planning.